Experience Summary
My current position is as a Museum Consultant. My last employment was Executive Director at a dynamic regional museum specializing in local culture including heritage and arts, where institutional growth and community involvement were priorities. I was responsible for all aspects of museum function including museum planning; budget development; administration and management; educational programming; exhibit development; publications; hiring, training and management of museum staff; fundraising management; grants procurement and administration; overseeing the collections management program; and implementation of Board approved plans and budget. I was also responsible for exhibit design, development and production including related signage, educational materials and publications, and interpreter and docent training.Additional responsibilities included establishing and maintaining appropriate records, forms, procedures and practices relating to artifacts, staff, programs, purchasing and general administration.
Responsible for all aspects of collections care, including implementing established conservation practices and maintaining appropriate records, forms, procedures and practices. Responsible for all collection decisions including collection budget, artifact acquisition, transportation of artifacts, handling, appraisals, loans, and accessioning and deaccessioning decisions.Responsible for developing and carrying out all on-going activities and special programs and procuring grants, sponsorships and other support for these activities. I attended all board and committee meetings, and provided monthly financial and Director’s reports.
I was responsible for maintaining public relations broadly through marketing strategies, and by performing as liaison between the museum, the Town of Snow Hill, Worcester County, the State, the media, and the community.
Some Accomplishments include:
Expanded museum programming in all areas, including exhibits, collections care, and educational programs.
Managed a capital campaign for a museum addition and supervised its completion from 1998 through 2001, which included adding a conservation lab and storage.
Solicited and convinced local developer to donate an historic house and funding for an addition to accommodate storage, conservation lab and administration.
Expanded museum budget and staff fourfold in eight years.
Expanded volunteer program fivefold.
Developed and implemented annual cultural festivals including the Delmarva Needle Art Show and Competition; FiberFest!; Children’s Discovery Day; and the Pocomoke Indian Festival At Askiminokonson.
Developed and implemented the P.E.T.(Programming Education through Technology) Project, which includes award-winning after school Heritage Arts programs at the Snow Hill Middle School and workshops at the museum and local libraries.
Developed an annual program to showcase the work of local artists.
Created internship programs with Salisbury University and University of MD, Eastern Shore.
Expanded marketing program and memberships.
Designed and instituted interactive museum website. (www.purnellmuseum.com)
Founded Central Delmarva Fiber Guild under the auspices of the Purnell Museum.
Prior to my work at this museum, I was employed at the Calvert Marine Museum as Educational Programmer, Senior Interpreter and General Instructor II
Educational programming duties included developing heritage art workshops for adults and children thematically linked to museum’s topics, and developing children’s summer art camp curriculums.
Senior Interpreter responsibilities included developing interpretive narratives of museum exhibits for visitors, and training, scheduling and supervising Interpreter I staff. Program development, research, materials preparation, and educational presentations were required.
General Instructor II responsibilities included program development, research, materials preparation and presentation of specialized educational programs, classes and tours. Collaboration with other staff, and leading and supervising program implementation were required.
I also worked at The Ardis School of the Arts, a non-profit technical and fine arts institution in Washington D.C. as Director of Visual Arts where I was responsible for development of all levels and subjects within the fine and commercial arts curriculum, training and supervision of art teachers, and coordination of art curriculum revision meetings.
Assisted in the planning and implementation of school growth and development programs, which included serving as a member of the School Accreditation Committee.
Taught all levels of Fashion Illustration, Textile Design, Visual Display, Merchandising, History of Costume, Fashion Show Production, Design Theory, and other art programs, and served as student advisor.
Coordinated and directed annual fashion shows.
Attended board meetings, conducted departmental reviews, and formulated budgets in collaboration with board and staff.
Additionally I served as Manager/Buyer/Curator at World Art in Wash D.C. and was responsible for managing all aspects of retail gallery including art acquisition and maintenance, sales,display, show coordination, employee scheduling,marketing, accounting and bookkeeping.
In my early years I worked with children teaching English as a 2nd language, Spanish and photography at Wash. D.C.'s first bilingual elementary school.I also was a freelance commercial artist specializing in fashion illustrations for publication and display, and merchandising displays for boutiques and galleries. I was also hired to paint murals. I designed,manufactured and sold a painted clothing line and taught art workshops throughout Washington D.C., Virginia and Maryland.
Teaching Style
I work well with students of all ages.
| American History |
Proficiency: Experienced
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| Former Director of History/Arts museum. My knowledge covers Native American history to present. |
| Composition |
Proficiency: Experienced
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| Experienced in business, creative, marketing, and other types of composition. |
| Drawing |
 This is one of my top subjects!
Proficiency: Expert
|
| AM able to teach anyone to draw. Technique, style and creating portfolios are some of the included lessons. This is my specialty. |
| Elementary |
Proficiency: Expert
|
| Have taught all grade levels in elementary education and have home schooled 2 of my 3 children in pre-school, elementary and middle school grades. |
| English |
This is one of my top subjects!
Proficiency: Expert
|
| English is my native language and I have mastered it quite well in the last 59 years. I have also taught English as a second language(ESL) to Spanish speakers, and have taught Art to non-English speakers from all over the world. |
| Geography |
Proficiency: Experienced
|
| Am proficient in knowledge of culture regarding geography as well. Am well traveled and have used and studied maps all over the world. |
| Grammar |
Proficiency: Expert
|
| My dad was an editor and he wouldn't stand for bad grammar. Need I say more? |
| Homework Help |
Proficiency: Experienced
|
| I work well with people of all ages. Having helped my own 3 children (one autistic) with their own homework,as well as others,has taught me the right way to do this. I'm good with incentives. |
| Language Arts |
Proficiency: Experienced
|
| Other than Art, Language Arts has always been one of my best subjects. |
| Literature |
|
| I am, and have always been, a bibliophile. |
| Poetry |
Proficiency: Experienced
|
| Writing poetry and song lyrics has been a long-time hobby of mine. I have a few pieces of published poetry. |
| Reading |
Proficiency: Expert
|
| I've taught children as young as 20 months how to read. I am expert at teaching this subject. |
| Reading Comprehension |
Proficiency: Expert
|
| Teaching reading comprehension is one of my best talents. |
| Social Studies |
This is one of my top subjects!
Proficiency: Experienced
|
| Elementary to advanced studies. |
| Spelling |
Proficiency: Expert
|
| I have been called a "Spelling Nazi." Is this an insult or a compliment? I love that I can spell most any word, but I don't like being called a nazi! |
| Writing |
Proficiency: Experienced
|
| I've only published one book, but I love writing fiction, especially for children. I have written many successful grants, proposals, and other technical papers. I'm just as good at teaching this subject. It's not as hard, or as easy, as it seems. |
| Writing Skills |
Proficiency: Experienced
|
| Experienced in all types of writing skills. |